IIHF Hockey World Championships

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gorocks99

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May 14, 2012 9:44 AM
The IIHF World Championships are going on in Finland and Sweden currently - some very good hockey going on over there and I've been trying to catch it on NBCSN and NHL Net when I can. Some names on the US team you may recognize: http://www.iihf.com/competition/272/teams/USA.html

Almost all the way through the group stage and the USA has had a pretty darn good showing (OT win over Kazakhstan and loss vs Slovakia aside). So far in the tournament:

vs France, W 7-2
vs Canada, W 5-4 (OT)
vs Slovakia, L 2-4
vs Belarus, W 5-3
vs Kazakhstan, W 3-2 (OT)
vs Finland, W 5-0
vs Switzerland 5/15

The US is squarely in 2nd place in their group with one more to play. Top four from the groups move on to the knockout stages and those teams are set as of now (their order is still up for grabs, however):

Finland Group:
Canada 16 pts
US 13 pts
Finland 12 pts
Slovakia 12 pts

Sweden Group:
Russia 18 pts
Sweden 15 pts
Czech Republic 11 pts
Norway 10 pts

If the order stays the same, the US will play Finland on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
May 14, 2012 9:44am
End of Line's avatar

End of Line

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May 14, 2012 12:15 PM
I thought I was the only person watching this lol.
May 14, 2012 12:15pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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May 14, 2012 12:24 PM
The_Crosby_Show;1170241 wrote:I thought I was the only person watching this lol.
Love me some international hockey. I just wish it were in a closer timezone so the games weren't on early in the morning during the week.

Side note: Has the U.S. ever hosted the event? I imagine with the overlap from the NHL and NBA, no, but it seems like it would get some great attention over here.
May 14, 2012 12:24pm
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chicago510

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May 14, 2012 12:49 PM
I watched a little bit of the Finland game...its just a tad short on star power for me, and the NHL playoffs have been SO good that it seemed a bit lackluster. Enjoying Captain Jack Johnson though.
May 14, 2012 12:49pm
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gorocks99

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May 14, 2012 12:58 PM
Guessing the star power will ratchet up for the knockout rounds. In the past couple days, Ovechkin and Semin have agreed to join Russia, Erat has agreed to join the Czechs. I think Team USA still has space for another forward/dman to join.

That said, I enjoy watching the youth take over for the USA. There are a lot of talented young guys - couple that with the talented youth we saw in Vancouver and we have a deep, good team for years to come on the international stage.
May 14, 2012 12:58pm
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End of Line

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May 14, 2012 3:39 PM
gorocks99;1170252 wrote:Love me some international hockey. I just wish it were in a closer timezone so the games weren't on early in the morning during the week.

Side note: Has the U.S. ever hosted the event? I imagine with the overlap from the NHL and NBA, no, but it seems like it would get some great attention over here.
I don't think the IIHF cares about the States.
May 14, 2012 3:39pm
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gorocks99

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May 14, 2012 3:44 PM
The_Crosby_Show;1170681 wrote:I don't think the IIHF cares about the States.
well, fuck them then.
May 14, 2012 3:44pm
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May 14, 2012 3:44 PM
Speaking of the 2014 Olympics, I already know what team I want to see lol.

Parise(C)-Kesler-Kane
Ryan-Stastny-Kessel
Pacioretty-Pavelski-Pominville
Brown(A)-Backes-Callahan(A)
Oshie

Suter(A)-Yandle
McDonagh-E. Johnson
Orpik-J. Johnson
Carlson

Quick
Miller
Howard
May 14, 2012 3:44pm
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gorocks99

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May 14, 2012 3:56 PM
The_Crosby_Show;1170694 wrote:Speaking of the 2014 Olympics, I already know what team I want to see lol.

Parise(C)-Kesler-Kane
Ryan-Stastny-Kessel
Pacioretty-Pavelski-Pominville
Brown(A)-Backes-Callahan(A)
Oshie

Suter(A)-Yandle
McDonagh-E. Johnson
Orpik-J. Johnson
Carlson

Quick
Miller
Howard
That's a sweet team. Goaltending up the wazoo.
May 14, 2012 3:56pm
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gorocks99

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May 15, 2012 1:09 PM
US-Switzerland about to drop on NBCSN. Last game of the group round, a win locks the USA into 2nd place in the group (behind only Canada) heading into the knockout.
May 15, 2012 1:09pm
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gorocks99

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May 15, 2012 2:55 PM
US comes out firing in the 3rd. Two goals 42 seconds apart and they're up 4-1.
May 15, 2012 2:55pm
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May 15, 2012 7:51 PM
These are the quarterfinal matchups.

Russia vs Norway
Sweden vs Czech

Canada vs Slovakia
USA vs Finland
May 15, 2012 7:51pm
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May 16, 2012 12:20 AM
TV times for the games.

Canada vs Slovaki 6:00am ET (12pm noon local)

Russia vs Norway 8:45am ET (2:45pm local)

USA vs Finland 11:30am ET (5:30 pm local)

Sweden vs Czech 2:15pm ET (8:15 pm local)
May 16, 2012 12:20am
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gorocks99

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May 17, 2012 8:06 AM
Slovakia just scored with less than 3 minutes to go to take the lead 4-3 over Canada!
May 17, 2012 8:06am
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gorocks99

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May 17, 2012 8:09 AM
Upset city! Canadians go down in the quarterfinals 4-3!
May 17, 2012 8:09am
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May 17, 2012 11:23 AM
Russia beats Norway 5-2 and stay undefeated.

USA vs Finland next at 11:30
May 17, 2012 11:23am
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gorocks99

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May 17, 2012 11:35 AM
Finland is gonna be angry coming into this one. The last few times the US has faced off with them:

2010 Olympics: USA 6 Finland 1
2012 IIHF Championships: USA 5 Finland 0

And we've got them in Helsinki. Hope the boys come out ready to play.
May 17, 2012 11:35am
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chicago510

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May 17, 2012 11:43 AM
Thanks for the reminder. Can't believe Canada lost.
May 17, 2012 11:43am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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10,760 posts
May 17, 2012 11:44 AM
Anyone have a good place to track online? I should've worked from home today damnit.
May 17, 2012 11:44am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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10,760 posts
May 17, 2012 12:56 PM
1-1 after two periods. Finns have yet to take a penalty.
May 17, 2012 12:56pm
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gorocks99

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10,760 posts
May 17, 2012 1:07 PM
BOOM, Bobby Ryan and it's 2-1 USA!
May 17, 2012 1:07pm
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gorocks99

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May 17, 2012 1:37 PM
Damnit, Finland scored with 9 seconds to go to win 3-2. USA is out.
May 17, 2012 1:37pm
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End of Line

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May 17, 2012 5:48 PM
Semis:

Russia vs Finland
Czech Republic vs Slovakia

My guess is Russia vs Czech Republic in the finals.
May 17, 2012 5:48pm